'83 VT750C trike kit?

[DianneB]

Does anybody out there make a trike conversion kit that would work with an older, shaft-driven Shadow? I can't find anything.

I'd really be interested in a bare-bones rolling chassis that I can put my own body on.

 

[Marc H]

The only thing I can think of would be something like a voyager,trigg,or tow-pac kit.Those are outrigger style but will get you riding.Highly unlikely you will find a regular trike kit made for it due to demand and cost keeping it from being profitable for the manufacturer.Triwing makes some for a few older bikes but you'll have to check I can barely load this page right now.Big problem you will find is the cost of kits is close to the same for older bikes as newer bikes which puts you down the cost difference of the bike.Many times you can find a used already triked bike for less.

 

[dirtdobber]

Check with Mystery designs or Frankenstein kits.
They both do bare bones kit.

 

[Livin2Ride]

You might look into these kits- http://www.casscountychoppers.com/index.html

They show one for the Shadow

 

[DianneB]

They show one for the Shadow

Unfortunately mine is a shaft drive and theirs is for a chain drive.

 

[2Trikez]

There are no kits out there for your bike...however, it's not that difficult to make you own. Suggest looking in the "Homemade Trike" section on this board. Many of us have done just that. We either use a auto rear end or a 1/2 pick-up truck rear. Look over some of the GL1000/1100/1200 Gold Wings. You'll see simple trike set-ups & more complex.


Some big issues: can you do some of the work or get parts cheaply?
Getting good welding done is important. Measurements must be accurate for work being done.


I've helped to build 3 or 4 trikes in the last couple yrs. On some we have "kit parts" (body & rear) that we got at salvage prices. However, one really only needs the rear section as one can make the "body" from metal as a pickup truck or roadster body or just a plain old square box!

So spend some time there. It's not as hard as you think.

2TZ

 

[DianneB]

Yes 2Trikez, I have been watching the Homemade Trike forum with great interest.

The more I read and the more I learn, the more I am leaning toward scratch-building a trike from the ground up and leaving my 750 alone or swapping the engine to the trike in the final stages (so I have something to ride during the build).

I can do most of the work myself. I have built/rebuilt everything from steam engines to airplanes so I know my capabilities and limitations. I could cut down and prep a differential and drive shaft but would have the welding professionally done. I could probably weld the frame myself, at least tack-weld, but I have a friend who is an excellent aircraft welder and would probably have him do the final welding just because he does such lovely (and reliable) work.


From the ground up is a huge project but would allow me to exercise my creative side and to build exactly what I want. I just need to make up my mind to a two year commitment!

 

[2Trikez]

If I may suggest: Keep your 750 together to ride over build time. However, I would also suggest that you find a Honda GL1200 (at least) for a few reasons.

1. IF you can find the Wing....for cheap ($300-500), it's a much better starting point for all needed fabrication and a better value in the long run. Most of the rear section of the bike is not needed except the brakes, drive-shaft, air shocks. Making the Wing into a Trike will "up" the value by thousands of dollars for only a few hundred invested.

2. Bigger motor and easy to get parts/pieces (motorcycle items) as well as some Honda auto parts are compatible (or easily modified) for your use. Also can add "extra" gas carrying capacity OR trailer hitch/receiver type hitch for a rake for travel. Mm, might even like the radio feature of the Aspencades!

3. YOU must have a plan and work with your welder guy. Tacking it up is a great help.


4. Try to get Pictures/files of "trike builds" on this board (dcryder comes to mind) or myself. It'll give you an idea (overview) of the how/what it's being done. You'll find...difference's...but that's the fun part. One looks to see who has the best....K.I.S.S. (keep it simple, stupid) build of their bike. ThumbUp


SO, get some paper, pencil (old school) and start making the "wish list" of parts/materials needed. Ya know...1 Chevy/Ford or maybe even a Hyundai small rear drive car (Canada), 1" square tubing (.095" wall thickness), 1/2" square tubing, drill bits, nuts/bolts (ny-lock), 3/16" flat plate steel (to make brackets). Etc., etc.

2TZ

 

[Marc H]

Heres a link to a build.With your skills you should be able to do this without a huge investment. http://www.triketalk.com/forum/threads/17423-Goldwing-Jaguar-IRS-2013-build

 

[2Trikez]

How's the project coming??? Got any drawings made? Pick up any tubing, other stuff?? Just asking.

Getting to be the time of year one can "search, gather, start" one's winter project. I speaking about getting the auto/truck rear for your trike build. Like the Chevy S-10 (or any 10 bolt rear) or Ford Ranger 2-wheel drive rear. Might find something from other makes/models...but must be rear-drive vehicle. That's where you should start........if I may be so bold to say.ThumbUp

By the way...the bike in avatar is my wife's which I built. Found a damaged MotorTrike body (repaired/painted), used a 88 Ford Ranger Truck rear (then narrowed (axles too) with a "chop saw", used the stock driveshaft but lengthened and added Ford universal joint, modified the stock swingarm (extra strength), made all brackets (3/16" steel), sub-frame for body is "tubing". Made exhaust 4-1 (VW comp. muffler) and used 84 Mustang mags. This type of set-up allows use of "stock wheelbase" and normal type of suspensionmovement for rear of bike. One does not need the body...you can just get the rear section fabricated 1st..then proceed onto other things later. Just a little plan for ya.

2TZ

 

[DianneB]

Not up here they are not!! Lowest price wing up for sale right now is an '81 at $1,500 and they go up from there.

I started thinking about stealing the power train out of a compact pickup and altering it - shorten the wheelbase and the track. Body-damaged pickups go for a song.

 

[rrunner]

If you're going for a pickup as a starting point. An s10 with a small v6 and automatic transmission would be ideal for a trike foundation. I would look for the old body style from the 80's so to not mess with the computer crap of the newer models. Good luck on your build. I currently ride a v8 trike